XIV. (1) WAS TOWARD ABSALOM. — This, like the last verse of the previous chapter, may be understood in either of two opposite senses: either David’s heart yearned for Absalom (as the Authorised Version, Vulg., LXX., Syr.), or it was hostile to him. The Hebrew preposition is used in both senses, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
TEKOAH. — A village on a high hill five miles south of Bethlehem, the home of the prophet Amos. It was also the native place of Ira, one of David’s thirty heroes (2 Samuel 23:26), and was near enough to Bethlehem, the home of Joab, for him to have had personal knowledge of this “wise woman.” There i... [ Continue Reading ]
SPAKE TO THE KING. — Many MSS. and the LXX., Vulg., and Syriac have _came_ to the king. The difference is immaterial.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TWO STROVE TOGETHER. — The woman represents the fratricide as unpremeditated and without malice. This really made the case essentially different from that of Absalom; but at this point of the story the object is to dispose the king favourably towards the culprit, while by the time the applicati... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL DESTROY THE HEIR ALSO. — The woman puts this into the mouth of the family, because this would be the result of what they proposed. The effect of the parable is greatly heightened by this, and there is no doubt intended a covert allusion to Absalom as the heir of David.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INIQUITY BE ON ME_ — i.e.,_ if there be any wrong in thus condoning blood-guiltiness, let the responsibility rest on me. Although the king has granted her request, the woman seeks to prolong the interview that she may lead him to commit himself more completely.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE KING REMEMBER THE LORD. — Having thus far succeeded, the crafty woman still _further_ leads on the king to bind himself with the solemnity of an oath.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF GOD. — This phrase, according to constant usage, can only mean _Israel._ The woman finds that the time has come when she must show the king that he stands condemned for his conduct towards Absalom by his own decision. She does this cautiously, and her language is therefore some... [ Continue Reading ]
WE MUST NEEDS DIE. — The woman now goes on to a further argument from the uncertainty of life. Whether she would suggest the possibility of Absalom’s dying in banishment (as some think), or of David’s death before he has been reconciled to his son (as others hold) does not matter. She craftily withd... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAVE MADE ME AFRAID. — The woman here seeks to excuse her boldness in addressing the king by the pressure brought to bear upon her from without; but whether she means this in regard to what she has said of Absalom, or of her own. affairs, is very doubtful. In the former case _the... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL OF GOD. — Comp. 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27; 1 Samuel 29:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HAND OF JOAB. — The king at once penetrates the woman’s disguise, and sees the stratagem. He knew Joab as “wily and politic and unscrupulous,” but we do not know why he suspected him of this especial interest in Absalom. Perhaps it was only the prosperous courtier’s interest in the heir-apparent... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE DONE. — This is the Hebrew text; the margin has _thou hast done._ The former is simply a form of granting Joab’s request; the latter would convey an implied censure on Joab’s stratagem, although in the next clause there is a compliance with his wish.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM NOT SEE MY FACE. — David allowed Absalom’s return, but forbade him his presence. The former had been done in weakness, the latter through a sense of justice. The effect of this half measure was unfortunate; Absalom was irritated, and yet placed in a favourable position to carry out his plots... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO HUNDRED SHEKELS. — The value of the shekel “after the king’s weight” is unknown. If it was the same with the shekel of the sanctuary, the weight mentioned would be about six pounds; if only half as much, the weight would still be very extraordinary. Some clerical error has probably arisen in cop... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE SONS. — Their names are not given, from which it might be supposed that they died in infancy, and this is made sure by 2 Samuel 18:18, where Absalom is reported as saying, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” ONE DAUGHTER. — This daughter bore the name of Absalom’s sister, Tamar, an... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WOULD NOT COME. — Joab felt that he had already gone far enough in procuring Absalom’s return, and, as he still continued under the displeasure of the king, he was not disposed to do anything more. Possibly also he thought Absalom should have shown some sign of penitence for his great crime.... [ Continue Reading ]
SET IT ON FIRE. — Absalom’s stratagem for obtaining an interview with Joab was perfectly successful, but would only have been resorted to by a lawless and unscrupulous character.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THERE BE ANY INIQUITY. — Absalom makes no acknowledgment of having done wrong, but simply says that this state of half-reconciliation is intolerable. He must either be punished or fully pardoned. Joab’s intercession accomplishes its purpose; the king receives Absalom, and kisses him in token of c... [ Continue Reading ]